Phenology of European Hornet, Vespa crabro L. and Saxon Wasps, Dolichovespula saxonica Fabr. (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) and the Influence of the Weather on the Reproductive Success of Wasps Societies in Urban Conditions

Abstract

In subsequent years, changes in the period of colonies activity for both species of wasps were observed as well as the longer period of development of wasp societies in the city than in the forest. There was not found a clear influence of weather conditions in winter on date of colonies initiation. However, low temperatures and rainfall in May caused delaying the initiation of nesting. The temperature in winter had a little impact on the number of queens that survived the winter and established their colonies in spring, but the humidity in winter had influence on the count of queens and thereby on the number of future nests especially in the forest area.

Long- and short-term changes in social wasp community structure in an urban area

“…This is an evidence of a high colony cycle synchrony degree, as described for some independent-founding wasps (Dantas de Araujo, 1982). However, since 61.5% of the species were also present in the winter, our results agree with Naldoski (2013), who suggests that the complexity of urban environments reduces the impact of seasons on the social wasp cycles.…”

“…Alvarenga et al, 2010;Jacques et al, 2012;Naldoski, 2013;Torres et al, 2014;see Barbosa et al, 2016). They show the relation between many species of social wasps and their environments, such as how some species found in urban areas depend exclusively on natural vegetation, whereas other prefer artificial substrates (Alvarenga et al, 2010;Sinzato et al, 2011;Castro et al, 2014;Virgínio et al, 2016).…”

Brood Sex Ratio in European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus is Related to Spring Phenology

“…abundance (see also Nadolski 2013, Lester et al 2017. Second, we did not measure wasp abundance for each nest separately, but in two large areas in central and northern Netherlands.…”

Nest-site competition between bumblebees (Bombidae), social wasps (Vespidae) and cavity-nesting birds in Britain and the Western Palearctic

“…Whilst this represents a substantial resource for species such as Blue Tits and Great Tits, it also offers nesting opportunities in favourable habitat for Tree Bumblebees, Saxon Wasps and Hornets, and this may be unwelcome by some homeowners concerned with stinging insects breeding close to their home (Nadolski 2013). However, Lye et al (2012) found that only 10% of bumblebee nests reported from English gardens were in nest-boxes, and Kozłowski (1992) found only 'sporadic' breeding by wasps (and no bumblebees) in nest-boxes in Warsaw's (Poland) urban parks.…”

“…Hornets are considered to prefer woodland habitats in Britain (Phillips & Roberts 2010a), where they may occupy nest-boxes intended for passerines (Holmes 2009). Hornet nests, however, are frequent in suburban areas in other parts of Europe (Langowska et al 2010, Nadolski 2013 and tree planting could be aiding its expansion into British gardens (Phillips & Roberts 2010a). Therefore, while the expansion of the Hornet's range and colonization of Britain by the Tree Bumblebee and Saxon Wasp may have increased nestsite competition for cavity-nesting birds, quantitative information is lacking.…”